10 Best Airplane Headphones 2025 in the United States

The Beats Studio Pro headphones are designed to cater well to frequent travelers and those seeking a quality audio experience while on the go. One of their key strengths is the Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) feature, which effectively blocks out ambient noise, making them ideal for airplane use. Coupled with personalized spatial audio and a rich sound profile, users can enjoy an immersive listening experience, whether for music or calls.

Comfort is another highlight, as these over-ear headphones are designed for extended wear, making long flights more pleasant. The impressive battery life of up to 40 hours means users can listen for a whole week without needing to recharge, and a quick 10-minute charge provides an extra 4 hours of playtime—perfect for when you're in a rush.

In terms of connectivity, the Beats Studio Pro offers seamless pairing with both Apple and Android devices, providing versatility for users of different platforms. The Bluetooth range is excellent, reducing dropouts during use, which is a significant plus for mobile use. However, the headphones are not without drawbacks. They are relatively bulky compared to some other options, which could be a concern for those looking for portability. While they come with a carrying case, the overall weight may be a factor for some users who prioritize lightweight travel gear.

Additionally, while sound quality is generally praised, some audiophiles might find the bass-heavy tuning of Beats headphones less appealing for certain genres of music. Lastly, the lack of water resistance means they are not suitable for use in wet environments, limiting their versatility.

The Beats Studio Pro headphones are well-suited for travelers and casual listeners who appreciate excellent noise cancellation, superb battery life, and a rich sound experience, but may not be the best choice for those who prioritize portability or require a more neutral sound profile.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are an excellent choice for airplane travelers. They feature top-tier noise cancellation, which uses Dual Noise Sensor technology to effectively block out ambient sounds, making them perfect for noisy environments like an airplane. With up to 30 hours of battery life and a quick charge option that provides 5 hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge, these headphones are highly reliable for long flights. Comfort is another highlight, thanks to an updated design that relieves pressure for prolonged use.

The headphones also have touch sensor controls, allowing you to pause, play, skip tracks, and adjust the volume easily. They support Alexa voice control and have excellent call quality with five built-in microphones, ensuring clear communication. One unique feature is Speak-to-Chat, which automatically reduces the volume when you start talking, although this might be a bit too sensitive for some users. In terms of sound quality, the Edge AI and DSEE Extreme technology provide a rich listening experience by upscaling compressed music files in real-time. The multipoint connection allows seamless pairing with multiple devices, adding convenience.

However, the headphones lack water resistance, which could be a drawback for those who expect them to handle various environments. The headphones are also slightly bulkier, weighing 9 ounces, which may affect portability. Despite these minor inconveniences, the Sony WH-1000XM4 stands out in its category for delivering superior noise cancellation, long-lasting comfort, and high-quality audio, making them a solid choice for frequent flyers.

The Sony WH-CH720N are lightweight over-ear headphones weighing just 192 grams, making them one of the lightest options with noise cancellation—ideal for wearing comfortably during long flights. They use advanced Dual Noise Sensor technology combined with Sony’s Integrated Processor V1, which provides effective noise cancellation to help block out airplane cabin noise.

Comfort is a strong point here, with a design focused on all-day wear. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 35 hours on a full charge and quick charging that gives an hour of playback after just 3 minutes, which is handy when on the go. Sound quality benefits from Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine, delivering clear vocals and balanced audio, which is great if you enjoy music or movies while traveling.

Additional smart features like Adaptive Sound control adjust the noise cancellation based on your environment, and multipoint Bluetooth lets you connect to two devices at once, such as a phone and tablet. The headphones also include a built-in microphone with beamforming technology for clear hands-free calls. While the impedance rating of 325 Ohm is relatively high, the headphones are wireless and designed to work well with modern devices, so you likely won’t notice any issues. Being over-ear headphones, they are less compact than earbuds, which might affect portability if you prefer something very small in your carry-on. However, in terms of comfort, noise cancellation, battery life, and sound quality, these headphones are a solid choice for frequent flyers looking for a lightweight, reliable headset.